THE BURNING SEASON

A young wilderness lookout confronts family expectations and her fear of fire.

This novel written in emotive free verse brings the emotional impact of poetry to 12-year-old Opal Gloria Halloway’s coming-of-age tale of survival. Living in a lookout tower in New Mexico’s Gila National Forest with her mother and grandmother, she struggles with competing fears and desires. Blue-eyed, red-haired Opal genuinely wishes to follow in the paths of three generations of women in her family who were fire-spotting lookouts: As Gran says, “‘It seems like forever / we’ve lived on this mountain.’ // ‘But fire’s lived here longer.’” Yet Opal also yearns to simply attend seventh grade in nearby Cielito and live with the Trujillos, whose twin boys, Vince and Jacob, are her best friends. Deeper down, she struggles with an overwhelming fear of flames: A horrific wildfire claimed her father’s life. When a washed-out trail leaves Opal’s mother stranded in town and Gran gets lost in the forest, Opal must dig deep to find the courage to protect the people she loves and figure out her place in the world. Believable emotions, gripping action, and skillfully incorporated information about climate change and wildfire management make this a relatable and engaging read.

A girl-versus-nature story that shines with evocative verse, a compelling protagonist, and a brisk plotline.